NP View: The Liberals must end the anarchy in our approvals processes

The environment minister agreed this week there is an “enhanced urgency” to the government preparing a plan to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, as it has pledged to do. That urgency might have something to do with the fact Canadian industries are up in arms over the uncertainty of the government’s policies, the impact it is having on investment and the damage being done to the economy.

Yes, yes, Wilkinson says he is aware of that. “We recognize that in a modern world a strong economy and a clean environment must go hand in hand,” he intoned recently in the House of Commons, reading from notes. However, he added later, the government is committed to proceeding in a “thoughtful way.” Sometime before this summer it plans to put together a group of learned individuals to suggest the best path to follow towards its goal.

It could be argued that the government’s determination has had some success, if you can call rampant industrial uncertainty a success. Business leaders now recognize it is imperative to accommodate environmental concerns in any project hoping to move forward. Many have been doing this in any case, but now see that something more is needed if Canada is to retain a reputation as a reliable and attractive place to invest.

These industrial leaders aren’t asking the government to cut back on its devotion to progress on climate change, or weaken its determination to reduce emissions. They’re simply seeking a coherent set of rules to follow as they continue working to provide the country’s energy needs, create jobs and proceed with an industry that is a backbone of the national economy.

But it would be a start. And a sign Liberals mean what they say when they claim to recognize, as Freeland noted, “we … need a strong economy and we understand the reality that fossil fuels are part of the Canadian economy and the world economy.”

acoyne Why can’t fed public servants do an environmental scan about what is happening throughout the world to achieve economic & environmental success, consult with whomever the ‘learned’ people are, and get it done!

acoyne Many of the same O&G cos that operate in Canada have also operated in Norway. Norway has very strict environmental laws and until recently extremely high corporate taxes. Norwegians are now sovereign millionaires.

Recognize that Indigenous peoples should be the ones developing and approving the projects. Problem solved.

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